1. Kuykendahl Road bridge project
A dual bridge with two north- and two southbound lanes is under construction on Kuykendahl Road over Spring Creek to mitigate traffic congestion between Montgomery and Harris counties. A substantial amount of the construction has been completed, according to Harris County Precinct 4 officials, and the contractor is now focusing on completing the north and south approaches. The project is slated for completion June 22.
Timeline: October 2016- June 22, 2017
Cost: $6 million
Funding sources: The Woodlands Road Utility District No. 1, Montgomery County Precinct 3, Harris County Precinct 4
2. David Memorial Drive extension
This Shenandoah Municipal Development District project will extend David Memorial Drive from Shenandoah Park Drive to Hwy. 242 in the Shenandoah area. Phase 1 was completed in late May, and Phase 2, which will extend David Memorial Drive to the Shenandoah city limit, is under design.
Timeline: October 2016-May 2017 (Phase 1), TBA (phases 2 and 3)
Cost: $2.3 million
Funding sources: Shenandoah Municipal Development District, Montgomery County Precinct 4
3. Birnham Woods Drive improvements
(3A) Phase 1 of this two-phase project in Spring will widen Birnham Woods Drive from two to four lanes between Fuller Bluff Drive and the Grand Parkway. (3B) Phase 2 will widen Birnham Woods Drive from two lanes to four lanes with a center turn lane between the Grand Parkway and Waterbend Cove. A traffic signal will also be installed at the Birnham Woods Drive and Waterbend Cove intersection. Phase 1 was completed in March, and Phase 2 is slated to begin June 12.
Timeline: February-March (Phase 1), June 12-early August (Phase 2)
Cost: $1.2 million
Funding sources: Montgomery County Precinct 3
4. Research Forest Drive widening
This project will widen Research Forest Drive in The Woodlands from two to four lanes with asphalt shoulders from FM 2978 to Branch Crossing Drive. Construction began in early May and is expected to be complete by May 2018.
Timeline: May 2017-May 2018
Cost: $8 million
Funding sources: Montgomery County Precinct 2
5. FM 2978 widening
This Texas Department of Transportation project will widen FM 2978 from two to four lanes from FM 1488 to Dry Creek for Phase 1 and from Dry Creek to Conroe Hufsmith Road for Phase 2. The project was originally scheduled to begin in summer 2016 but has been continuously delayed due to utility relocations, which are expected to be complete by mid-June, according to Montgomery County Precinct 2 officials. Construction on Phase 2 is expected to begin shortly after and will take approximately 2.5 years to complete.
Timeline: TBA (Phase 1), late June 2017-Late 2019 (Phase 2)
Cost: $23.9 million
Funding sources: TxDOT, Forde Construction Co.
6. Gosling Road bridge
Similar to the Kuykendahl Road bridge project, a $7 million dual bridge will likewise be constructed on Gosling Road over Spring Creek as part of a future joint project between Montgomery County Precinct 3, Harris County Precinct 4 and TxDOT. Discussions between both counties about project initiation are still in progress, according to Harris County Precinct 4 officials.
Estimated Timeline: TBA
7. Rayford Road
This $60 million Montgomery County Precinct 3 road bond project will widen Rayford Road from four to six lanes between Lazy Lane and the Grand Parkway. A six-lane bridge will also be constructed over the Union Pacific Corp. railroad tracks, new traffic signals will be installed and a raised median will be added to enhance the safety of left-turning motorists. Construction began April 28 and is expected to be complete by summer 2019.
Estimated Timeline: April 28, 2017-summer 2019
How it works
What happens when a TxDOT roadway enters a city’s boundaries?
When a city incorporates, that government becomes responsible for all roadways within its city limits, including any state and numbered streets. Cities then must create a municipal maintenance agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation to determine the responsibilities of the city and TxDOT for constructing, reconstructing and maintaining those state roadways.
To create a municipal maintenance agreement, a city meets with TxDOT to discuss maps identifying state roadways within city limits; lists of roadways maintained by TxDOT and by the city; maintenance requests on those roadways; and a list of exhibits, such as landscaping and filtration system plans. A city will then approve a resolution to enter into an agreement with TxDOT.
These agreements give cities “exclusive domain, control and jurisdiction over the public streets within its corporate limits,” according to TxDOT. The state agency also can indicate which roadways it will continue maintaining.
Both the city and TxDOT will review and approve these responsibilities to execute the agreement.
Agreements may address traffic signals, lighting, traffic regulations, speed limits, signs, pavement markings, school safety devices, and parking laws and enforcement. If a city wants to install red-light cameras, an amendment must be added to the agreement, according to TxDOT.
Agreements also do not expire but must be reviewed every two years or after new census results are released to include any new roads or changes in the city’s boundaries.
